BARRY LEEF: After many years of playing mostly magical gigs with some of the finest musicians and singers in this country and living in recording studios singing hundreds of radio and television ads, I decided it was time I recorded something as a keep sake for my awesome family.

It has taken this long to feel I can now record something worthwhile and something to be proud of, this feeling was because of my passion for excellence and my absolute respect for the finest contemporary songwriters, singers, producers and arrangers of my generation. To aspire to this level has always been a difficult road for me, “nothing was ever good enough”.

A year or two ago, Kere Buchanan (drummer, producer and arranger) called me and asked if I would sing a track on his latest album ‘Goodbye Yesterday’ the track was “Miss Josephine”. I was blown away with the way Kere worked in the studio and so impressed with his producing and arranging skills, working with Kere was such a joy I knew we would work together again.

Last year I called Kere and asked if he would be interested in producing my album, this was his reply: Barry…Of course man. I’d be honoured! Give me a call to chat about this. This is a must for you! K.

Rhythmized is now completed and I have to say I’m so proud of the result, I can’t thank Kere enough for his splendid work on this record, chief engineer Keith Walker for his meticulous work making sure every note recorded was as clean as and his tireless support. All the guys at Studio 301 from assistant engineers to admin, huge thanks.

The Band: Peter Northcote, Bill Risby, Dario Bortilin, Mick Skelton, Garry Steel, Tony Azzopardi, Tom Rainey and Ashleigh Leef ...What a pleasure it was to work with these musicians and singers, everything about the sessions was inspiring and total fun.

Lastly, to the most special person who made this all possible, I dedicate this album to my Mum, NESTA LEEF.

This year, singer/songwriter/guitarist Bernie Chiaravalle marks his thirtieth anniversary playing with the Michael McDonald Band.  It has been a remarkable career touring and recording with the five-time Grammy winner, as well as guesting and writing songs for other artists like Judy Collins, Amy Holland, David Pack, Pat Simmons, Larry Carlton and many others.  Somehow, despite living such a busy life, he has also found the time to use his creative eye as a web designer for other artists and businesses.

Now, as the calendar gets closer to turning the page, Bernie Chiaravalle happily announces the arrival of Dreamer, his ninth solo album.  His excellent body of solo work reveals him to be very much connected to the world around him and still dedicated to the enduring idea that love can save the world.

On Dreamer, he not only wrote all of the music, but also handled all vocals and the vast majority of the instrumentation.  This is not easy task, wearing the hats of a recording engineer, producer and multi-instrumentalist.  I asked him how he handles juggling such a busy tour schedule with his own solo projects.  He says “I find it’s sometimes good to get away from a project, and playing with Mike is a perfect distraction.”

Dreamer begins with an ode to the kind of love that will stand the test of time, in “Your Love is Everything.”  The way this exquisite melody floats gently over soft descending chords reassures and strengthens the message.

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DAVID CROSBY, who turned 77 this month, has experienced a late career resurgence unlike almost any other in the history of rock & roll. Becca Stevens, Michael League and Michelle Willis backed Crosby on his tour in support of 2016’s acclaimed Lighthouse album, and BrooklynVegan said of the quartet’s NYC show at Town Hall, “they also clearly help him sound great. Crosby’s voice has aged wonderfully, but you’d have to assume the younger singers’ harmonies are part of what made everything sound so rich last night. This project reflects the collaboration with that amazing group."